Arsenal linked to Midfield Powerhouse – perfect addition for trophies

It feels like we are missing something with Arsenal. We have banged on for about three years now about how Arsenal need a bit more steel running through the side.

When the team was last successful on a regular basis they had players like Tony Adams and Patrick Viera. Both could play a bit but their main jobs were to add muscle when things got physical – and they did that beautifully.

Arsene Wenger is plainly aware of these public calls for more beef in the team. He either doesn’t agree or he is simply too proud to admit that we, the punters, were right.

But we reckon most Arsenal fans would like to see another Viera like player in the side. You might opine that if Barcelona don’t need one then why should Arsenal? Well Barcelona don’t play in the sometimes bruising Premier League – if they did, they probably would never have sold Yaya Toure.

Anyway, as far as we’re concerned, it is not up for debate – Arsenal need a midfield powerhouse. The sooner they get one the sooner they can get back to winning stuff.

The Mirror today reports that Arsenal may have the perfect opportunity to get just such a warrior this summer:

Premier League clubs Liverpool and Arsenal have been put on red alert with the news that France international Yann M’Vila is likely to leave Russia this summer.

The former Rennes midfielder, 23, has been with Rubin Kazan since a £10.5million move 14 months ago, but has fallen out of favour under new manager Rinat Bilyaletdinov – father of former Everton midfielder Diniyar.

The report goes on to say:

M’Vila has spoken in the past about his keenness to try his hand in English football, while he has been heavily linked in the past with both Arsenal and Liverpool.

At just 23 this guy has already been around the block a few times. He played a starring role for Rennes between 2009-2013 after graduating form the youth ranks. He’s struggled with injury since arriving at Rubin Kazan but has played a really admirable 22 times for France. So, when he is fit, he is central to their plans.

We think that this guy is the perfect replacement for Viera that Arsenal never got. Slightly smaller at 6ft but he’s got a similarly commanding presence, great engine and super reading of the game. He also has a velvety touch and is a solid passer of the ball.